Method and apparatus for packaging and delivering nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and polyceutical compositions

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for bottling/packaging orally ingested compositions, said method comprising compounds of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or polyceutical components, collectively unique combinations of liquid and solid elements such as pills and capsules. These can be nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, or polyceuticals for improving cardiovascular health. Said apparatus comprises a container having a conventional closure with an additional detachable base member. This packaging configuration divides the container into two chambers; the superior or upper chamber and the inferior or lower chamber. In one embodiment the upper chamber is designed to contain liquid compounds, whereas the lower detachable chamber is designed to contain solid matters such as pills and capsules. In one form of this invention the upper and lower chambers are attached to each other by a latching mechanism. Also, in one form of this invention, the interior portion of the lower chamber is partitioned into several smaller units.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/516,431 filed Apr. 4, 2011, entitled Methods and Apparatus for Delivering Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Compositions and provisional application 61/519,782 filed May 31, 2011, entitled Method and Apparatus for Delivering or Packaging Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Products.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are various nutraceutical as well as pharmaceutical products that cannot be mixed with other nutraceutical or pharmaceutical products due to various factors including but not limited to instability of ingredients, insolubility, viscosity, incompatibility (solid vs. liquid), taste, and shelf life. Incompatibility can include diminution of shelf life or potency or toxicity when the products are combined and stored together in one mixture.

Furthermore, incompatible compositions are usually delivered to the consumer in separate packages, so a person must purchase and keep track of multiple containers. At times, this could result in decrease of adherence to the therapy. Patients have the increased burden of maintaining a supply of separate multiple products. The products may not be sold in containers comprising the same number of doses, thereby requiring multiple visits to a store or pharmacy. Thus there is a need to provide a means of delivering these elements in one convenient and easy to adopt packaging.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One form of this invention relates to the apparatus and methods of packaging and delivering nutraceutical, polyceutical as well as pharmaceutical products in one unit. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the apparatus houses the liquid in an upper chamber (hereinafter “upper chamber”) and solids such as pills and capsules in a lower compartment or chamber (hereinafter “lower chamber”). In other forms of said apparatus, both upper and lower chambers house liquid products that cannot be mixed due to various conditions such as incompatibility, insolubility, and the length of shelf life. In another embodiment, the upper chamber houses the liquid composition whereas the lower chamber contains powder compositions. The upper chamber may be a bottle with a closure or other type of container (hereinafter “container”). The lower chamber can be compartmentalized wherein each compartment holds a dose of the solid nutraceutical, polyceutical, or pharmaceuticals. The upper chamber may contain one or more doses of liquid nutraceutical, polyceutical, or pharmaceuticals. The packaging and container subject of this disclosure may provide individualized doses of nutraceutical, polyceutical, or pharmaceuticals. Prior designs and methods fall short of the unique combinations of this apparatus and methods of delivery provided in this disclosure.

As disclosed in the named inventors' prior patent applications, a “polyceutical” is a unique combination of one or more nutraceutical compounds and one or more pharmaceutical compounds. Examples of polyceuticals are: a combination of aspirin and vitamin B6; a combination of aspirin and vitamin B12; a combination of aspirin and folic acid; a combination of ibuprofen and COQ10; a combination of a nutraceutical composition for boosting metabolism and a pharmaceutical medication for suppressing appetite, such as phentermine; a combination of a nutraceutical composition for increasing levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, also referred to as “good” cholesterol) and a pharmaceutical medication for reducing levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL, also referred to as “bad” cholesterol), such as medication belonging to the statin class of medications. The combination can be either in the form of a chemical mixture (mixed in a medium like capsule, tablet, gel tab, softgel, liquid, pills etc., hereinafter “capsule”) or physically packaged together such as a capsule and a liquid placed together in a package-container.

One form of this disclosure relates to the apparatus and methods of packaging and delivering nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or polyceuticals, together in one unit, hereinafter “package”).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosure. These drawings, together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one form of packaging apparatus.

FIG. 1.1 is an illustration of an outer box with multiple openings to showcase the contents inside the box.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus platform comprising a card.

FIG. 2.1 is an illustration of packaging apparatus platform housing the components attached with shrink wrap.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus with a capsule attached to a bottle closure or cap.

FIG. 4.0 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus showing multiple capsules attached to the container.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus illustrating a capsule package attached to the container.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the container with upper and lower parts attached to each other.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the container where the lower container is released from the upper chamber.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the container and several methods of attachments.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a lower container showing the partitioned chambers.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of lower container with an adjustable hole where the contents of the container are released.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a compartmentalized base container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus and methods herein are for unique containers or packaging for delivery of combinations of nutraceutical or polyceutical compositions. The compositions can be delivered in various forms including any combination of liquid, solid and powder. The compositions described are combinations of specific vitamins, minerals, herbs, and nutraceutical compounds. These essential components protect cardiovascular health and promote heart healthy lifestyle. Other components reduce or control the levels of total cholesterol by lowering low density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides, and may also increase the level and density of high density lipoproteins (HDL).

The disclosure is for an apparatus and methods used to deliver these essentials. The apparatus is comprised of a container having a conventional screw top closure with a detachable base member, which divides the container into two chambers; the superior or upper chamber and the inferior or lower chamber. Each chamber of this apparatus houses specific compositions of liquid, solid, powder or any combination thereof. The disclosure teaches a method and apparatus that allows different substances, nutraceuticals, polyceuticals or pharmaceuticals, to be combined together in a single package and to be consumed simultaneously as if a “polypill”. A polypill is the combining of multiple medicinal compounds in a single pill or capsule. The polypill concept allows for ease of use and improved patient adherence to prescribed medications. The multi-compartmentalized packaging described in this disclosure allows these substances to be combined in a single package in compliance with existing regulations and without triggering regulatory review. It is well known that combining multiple compounds into a single pill or capsule, etc. would undergo extensive review by regulatory agencies, even if each individual pharmaceutical compound has received prior regulatory approval. When the substances are retained in each manufacturer's original dosage medium, i.e., pill, tablet, capsule, etc. or packaging, further regulatory approval is not required. The apparatus of this invention facilitates this consumption of healthful substances and, therefore, also improves the adherence of the user to recommended nutraceutical, polyceutical, and pharmaceutical therapies.

FIG. 1 illustrates the outer packaging for the container subject of the invention. FIG. 1.1 illustrates of an outer box with multiple openings to showcase the contents inside the box. The container 102 is shown within the box. Also two capsules 103 are shown in the protrusion of the packaging lid or cover. In this embodiment, the capsules may be taken with the liquid in the container. It may be appreciated that the contents of the container and the capsules may contain a single dose of the combination.

FIG. 2 illustrates another form of said packaging apparatus wherein the packaging consists of a card structure with a portion holding a supply of 12 capsules 204. The card also contains a liquid containing container with a cap 202 held to the card by various means such as shrink wrap/heat wrap 203. As used herein, shrink wrap is a flexible plastic covering that can adhere to the card.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus wherein 301 illustrates a container containing liquid, 302 is an illustration of solid matter(s) such as a capsule, 303 is an illustration of an apparatus securing the solid matter(s) to the container which could be removed prior to usage.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another form of said packaging apparatus wherein 401 illustrates a container containing liquid, 402 is an illustration of a capsule, and 403 is an illustration of an apparatus securing the solid matter(s) to the container similar to a hangtag.

FIG. 5 illustrates another form of said packaging apparatus wherein 501 is an illustration of a container containing liquid, 502 is an illustration of a capsule, in a bubble wrapped covering.

FIG. 503 is an illustration of method of attaching bubble wrapped solid matter(s) such as pill(s), capsule(s), and softgel(s) or combinations thereof, to the container.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the container with upper 601 and lower parts 602 attached to each other. FIG. 7 is an illustration of the container where the lower container 701 is released from the upper chamber 702. FIG. 8 is an illustration of the container 801 and several methods of attachments. FIG. 9 is an illustration of lower container 901 showing the partitioned chambers 910, 911. FIG. 10 is an illustration of lower container 104 with adjustable hole 105 where the contents of the container can be released. FIG. 11 is an illustration of base container showing the top 107, compartment sides 110, bottom 108 and a capsule 109 held in one of the compartments.

In one embodiment the upper chamber is designed to contain liquid compounds, whereas the lower detachable chamber is designed to contain solid matters such as pills and capsules. In another embodiment, the upper chamber is designed to contain liquid compound, whereas the lower detachable chamber is designed to contain powder material. In other embodiments both the upper and lower chambers contain liquid compositions.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid container may comprise the lower container and the cap may be adapted to hold multiple compartments for solids. These solids may comprise pills, capsules, geltabs, tablets, softgel tabs, etc. In another embodiment, the cap may be adapted to comprise a recessed area wherein a capsule may be stored. It will be appreciated that the solid and liquid may comprise a single dose of the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or polyceutical compositions. Although the disclosure is not limited to any size, in one embodiment the liquid container holding a single dose may be approximately 1 oz (29.5 ml).

Another component of this invention is the apparatus and methods of packaging liquid and solids components in one easy to carry packaging system. In one embodiment the packaging system is comprised of an outer box with various opening showcasing the product(s) inside. Said box will have an extension extruding from the top of the lid with an opening/window housing the solids. In another embodiment the packaging consists of a platform or card where a liquid filled container as well as the solid nutraceutical, pharmaceutical or polyceutical components such as pill(s), capsule(s), and softgel(s) will be placed and attached to the platform by various methods such as shrink wrap/heat wrap.

In another embodiment, the upper chamber holding the liquid product may have a conventional twist off cap. The cap may contain a separate component into which the product may be poured in a correct dosage amount. The cap may have a flip top cap wherein the top flap of the cap can be hingeably flipped open, revealing the opening through which the liquid product can be pored. In another embodiment, the upper chamber can have a non-recloseable pull tab or “pop top” opening. In another embodiment, the liquid product can be in a squeezable tube container. Having the liquid in a highly viscous state reduces the water, alcohol or other medium which dilutes the product. Accordingly a greater number of doses can be held within the upper chamber.

In another embodiment, the lower chamber can consist of four separate chambers. Each chamber can have a daily dosage of product. There being four days of solid product (pills, capsules, gel tabs,) and the upper chamber can contain four days worth of liquid product. In an alternative embodiment, the solid content and chambers could be divided between AM and PM products. It will be appreciated the liquid dose may be taken with the solid dose, e.g., a capsule, to ease the swallowing of the solid dose.

In yet another embodiment the lower chamber could hold 8 compartments or any other number of compartments. In one embodiment, each compartment could be accessed by a snap closing hingeable flip cover. Each compartment would have its own flip cover. In another embodiment, there may be a single snap flip cover and the compartments rotate in relationship to the covered opening. In another embodiment, the outer circumference of the base could have a rotatable hole covered with a tearable foil cover which would allow the user to open and turn the base to access the various compartments. The chamber component or compartment opening can be rotated from the bottom of the lower chamber. In another embodiment the bottom of the lower chamber could comprise clear plastic to facilitate the user knowing if additional pills, capsules, etc. are in the bottom chamber.

In another embodiment the lower chamber, forming the container base, can be attached with threads to the upper chamber so that the lower chamber can be twisted off and on. In yet another embodiment, the lower container can incorporate a protrusion aligned with the center axis of the upper and lower container. This protrusion can be fitted into an indention in the bottom of the upper container. The combination of the protrusion (or stem) and the indentation can form the attachment mechanism of upper and lower containers. It will be appreciated that the containers can be removably attached. It will be appreciated that the upper and lower containers may rotate relative to the other.

Other combinations will become apparent to persons skilled in the art after reading this disclosure.

This specification is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. As already stated, various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of components or adjustments made in the steps of the method without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention.

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A container comprising: a) an upper chamber and a detachable base comprising a lower chamber; and b) the upper chamber having an openable closure.
 2. The container of claim 1 where the lower chamber has compartmentalized sections.
 3. The container of claim 2 where the lower chamber has a rotatable hole moving around the circumference of the base accessing the compartmentalized sections.
 4. The container of claim 1 further comprising the upper and lower chambers detachably attached to each other by latchs, plastic snap components, or threaded components,.
 5. The container of claim 1 where said container is used to house liquid in the upper chamber and solids such as at least one capsule in the lower chamber.
 6. The container of claim 1 where said container is used to house liquid in the upper chamber and powders in the lower chamber.
 7. The container of claim 1 where said container is used to house liquid in both upper and lower chambers.
 8. The container of claim 5 where said container is used to deliver nutraceutical compositions.
 9. The container of claim 6 where said container is used to deliver nutraceutical compositions.
 10. The container of claim 7 where said container is used to deliver nutraceutical compositions.
 11. The container of claim 1 where said container is used to deliver pharmaceutical compositions.
 12. The container of claim 5 where said container is used to deliver pharmaceutical compositions.
 13. The container of claim 6 where said container is used to deliver pharmaceutical compositions.
 14. The container of claim 7 where said container is used to deliver pharmaceutical compositions.
 15. The container of claim 1 where the container is used to deliver a combination of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.
 16. The container of claim 3 where said container is used to deliver a combination of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.
 17. The container of claim 4 where said container is used to deliver a combination of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.
 18. The container of claim 5 where said container is used to deliver a combination of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compositions.
 19. The container of claim 1 where said contents of lower chamber could be released in various form consisting of a group of pills, tablets, capsules, geltabs, soft tabs and powders or combinations thereof.
 20. The container of claim 1 where said container is used to deliver cardiovascular health-promoting nutraceutical composition
 21. A packaging apparatus comprising: a) a box with a lid; b) a liquid fillable container housed inside the box having a lid; c) an extension protruding from the top of the box lid housing at least one capsule.
 22. The packaging apparatus of claim 21 where the container housed inside the box will contain solid matters of at least one capsule.
 23. The packaging apparatus of claim 21 where the extension protruding from the top of the lid will contain liquid.
 24. A packaging apparatus comprising: a) a packaging platform; b) a pre-structured space on the platform where liquid filled container could be placed; c) a pre-structures space on the platform where solid material could be placed; and d) a flexible plastic film that can be attached over the platform.
 25. A packaging apparatus comprising a) a liquid fillable container; b) a removable container cover; and c) an openable bubble wrapped attachment to the said container capable of containing solid material.
 26. An apparatus comprising a container with a cap wherein the cap contains at least one compartment
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising at least one capsule in the compartment of the cap.
 28. A method for delivering multiple nutraceutical, polyceutical or pharmaceutical compositions comprising: a) removing a dose of one or more compositions from one compartment of a multi-part container; and b) removing a dose of one or more compositions from a second compartment of the multi-part container.
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising removing a dose of one or more compositions from packaging of the container.
 30. The method of claim 28 further comprising removing a dose of one or more compositions from a lid of the container. 